The course covers many topics, including those
related to the study of basic and specialized ecological concepts and
terminology, the relationship between plant ecology and other sciences, in
addition to the components of the environment and its influencing factors - the
concept of the limiting factor - the ecological range of tolerance of living
organisms. The course focuses on the effects of environmental variability (in
time and space) on plant establishment and growth. The course also deals in
detail with the environmental factors (climatic and topographic) affecting the
growth, distribution and abundance of plant species, as well as the study of
the biological interactions between plants and the other components of the
environment.
By the end of the course, the student
will be able to:
- explain the concept of ecology in general and
plant ecology, the relevant terminology and the relationship between plant
ecology and other sciences.
- determine the ecological factors affecting
the growth, distribution and abundance of plant species.
- describe the environmental variability and
its effects on the composition and diversity of plant communities.
- discuss the climatic, topographic factors,
biological interactions and their influence on plant species.
- explain the differences between different
types of environments and the ability of plant species to adapt to particular
environmental conditions.
